Frank Tobin

Tobin, Frank of North Chatham, MA and Stuart, FL, passed away peacefully early in the morning of June 23, 2024, several hours before the start of the Chatham Harbor run, an event he was proud to have co-founded in 1983.

Frank, known affectionately to relatives as Ike, was born in Medford, MA to Frank and Florence Tobin on August 21, 1927, and later grew up in Lexington, MA. Prior to turning eighteen, Frank tried to join the military in support of World War II efforts. With an older son already in the military, Frank’s mother refused to grant approval, tearing up the paperwork and thereby ending that dream. Frank was a fast sprinter, running the 100-yard dash in 10.2 during high school. He attended Northeastern University and received a degree in electrical engineering.

Frank started his career working for RCA in the electronics division. In 1947, he met his wife, Helen, on a blind date. They married in 1954, and after living in New Jersey for a while, settled in Acton, MA. There, they purchased their first home and had their children, Laurie and Brian. In 1968, Frank and the family had the grand adventure of moving to England while he worked for the electronics firm Transitron, where they had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe. In 1970, the family moved back to the States, settling in Chatham where Frank embarked on a new adventure and career change: purchasing Sea in the Rough restaurant and becoming a successful restauranteur. During the restaurant years, Frank was very active in the Chatham Rotary Club and helped run the annual Scallop Festival fundraiser from his restaurant for many years. After retiring in 1988, he and Helen became snowbirds, splitting their time between Stuart, FL and Chatham, MA.

Frank had a zeal for life. He was very sociable and could often be seen chatting it up with people both in Chatham and Florida. He was never a person to shy from a good debate. He enjoyed civil war history and visited all the battlefields. He was very active and adventurous which included hiking the Grand Canyon and the Everglades. Once retired, he fell in love with golf and he could always be spotted at the Seaside Links in Chatham or on his home course at Monterey Yacht & Country Club in Stuart, FL. He played his last round of golf with his son on May 12, 2024 in Florida, still carrying his own bag! He loved technology, buying his first computer in 1979 and using it to improve operations at his restaurant.

He is survived by his daughter Laurie Phelan and her husband Keith of North Chatham; son Brian Tobin and his wife Laurie of Palm City FL; and grandchildren Liam Phelan, Katie Tobin and her fiancé Vijay Vishwanath, Anya Tobin and Ryan Tobin. He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 61 years, Helen Tobin, his brother Roy Tobin, and his sister Marjorie Ofria.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Chatham Conservation Foundation:

https://www.chathamconservationfoundation.org/donate

A celebration of life will be held at Nickerson Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Road, Chatham, MA on October 5th from 10am to 12pm followed by a graveside service at Union Cemetery, Chatham, MA.

For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com